haemophilus b and hepatitis B vaccine

haemophilus b and hepatitis B vaccine

Pronunciation: hem OFF il us B and HEP a TYE tis

Brand: Comvax

What is the most important information I should know about this vaccine?

The haemophilus B and hepatitis B vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. Booster shots may be given at 4 months and 12 to 15 month of age. Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Be sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine. If your child does not receive the full series of vaccines, he or she may not be fully protected against the disease.

Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.

Your child should not receive a booster vaccine if he or she had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with haemophilus B or hepatitis A is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

What is haemophilus B and hepatitis B vaccine?

Haemophilus B is a type of influenza (flu) caused by bacteria.

Haemophilus B bacteria can infect the lungs or throat, and can also spread to the blood, bones, joints, brain, or spinal cord. It can cause breathing problems or meningitis, and these infections can be fatal.

Hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by virus.

Hepatitis B is a disease of the liver that is spread through blood or bodily fluids, sexual contact or sharing IV drug needles with an infected person, or during childbirth when a baby is born to a mother who is infected. Hepatitis causes inflammation of the liver, vomiting, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes). Hepatitis can lead to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or death.

The haemophilus B and hepatitis B vaccine is used to help prevent these diseases in children.

This vaccine works by exposing your child to a small dose of the bacteria or virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. This vaccine will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Haemophilus B and hepatitis B vaccine is for use in children between the ages of 6 weeks and 15 months old.

Like any vaccine, the haemophilus B and hepatitis B vaccine may not provide protection from disease in every person.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving this vaccine?

A hepatitis B vaccine will not protect you against infection with hepatitis A, C, and E, or other viruses that affect the liver. It may also not protect you from hepatitis B if you are already infected with the virus, even if you do not yet show symptoms.

Your child should not receive this vaccine if the child is allergic to baker's yeast, or if he or she has ever had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any vaccine containing haemophilus B or hepatitis B.

Your child should also not receive this vaccine if the child has received cancer chemotherapy or radiation treatment in the past 3 months.

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor if your child has:

multiple sclerosis;

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia or easy bruising;

a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

an allergy to latex rubber;

a weak immune system caused by disease, bone marrow transplant, or by using certain medicines or receiving cancer treatments; or

if the child is taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin).

Your child can still receive a vaccine if he or she has a cold or fever. In the case of a more severe illness with a fever or any type of infection, wait until the child gets better before receiving this vaccine.

How is this vaccine given?

This vaccine is given as an injection (shot) into a muscle. Your child will receive this injection in a doctor's office or other clinic setting.

The haemophilus B and hepatitis B vaccine is given in a series of shots. The first shot is usually given when the child is 2 months old. Booster shots may also be given at 4 months and 12 to 15 month of age. Your child's individual booster schedule may be different from these guidelines. Follow your doctor's instructions or the schedule recommended by the health department of the state you live in.

Your doctor may recommend treating fever and pain with an aspirin-free pain reliever such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, and others) when the shot is given and for the next 24 hours. Follow the label directions or your doctor's instructions about how much of this medicine to give your child.

It is especially important to prevent fever from occurring in a child who has a seizure disorder such as epilepsy.

What happens if I a dose is missed?

Contact your doctor if you will miss a booster dose or if you get behind schedule. The next dose should be given as soon as possible. There is no need to start over.

Be sure your child receives all recommended doses of this vaccine. If your child does not receive the full series of vaccines, he or she may not be fully protected against the disease.

What happens if there is an overdose?

An overdose of this vaccine is unlikely to occur.

What should be avoided before or after receiving this vaccine?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity after your child receives this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of this vaccine?

Your child should not receive a booster vaccine if he or she had a life-threatening allergic reaction after the first shot.

Keep track of any and all side effects your child has after receiving this vaccine. When the child receives a booster dose, you will need to tell the doctor if the previous shots caused any side effects.

Becoming infected with haemophilus B or hepatitis A is much more dangerous to your child's health than receiving the vaccine to protect against these diseases. Like any medicine, this vaccine can cause side effects, but the risk of serious side effects is extremely low.

Get emergency medical help if your child has any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if the child has any of these serious side effects:

extreme drowsiness, fainting;

fussiness, irritability, crying for an hour or longer;

seizure (black-out or convulsions); or

high fever.

Less serious side effects include:

redness, pain, tenderness, swelling, or a hard lump where the shot was given;

diarrhea, loss of appetite, mild vomiting;

mild fussiness or crying;

joint pain, body aches; or

mild fever.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect haemophilus B and hepatitis B vaccine?

Before receiving this vaccine, tell the doctor about all other vaccines your child has recently received.

Also tell the doctor if your child has recently received drugs or treatments that can weaken the immune system, including:

an oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable steroid medicine;

medications to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune disorders, such as azathioprine (Imuran), efalizumab (Raptiva), etanercept (Enbrel), leflunomide (Arava), and others; or

If your child is using any of these medications, he or she may not be able to receive the vaccine, or may need to wait until the other treatments are finished.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can affect this vaccine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications your child has received. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your child's doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist may have information about this vaccine written for health professionals that you may read. You may also find additional information from your local health department or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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